News of the Times - Unlocking the vaults of historical crime

Uncovering the Brutal 1878 Limerick Dung Heap Murder News of the Times Episode 445 | 1878 Today, we journey back to Limerick in 1878, where a gruesome discovery shocks the community. What begins as routine labour for two workers takes a horrifying turn when they unearth the remains of a child buried beneath a dung heap. But the horror doesn’t end there — within hours, they make an even more distur...

Exploring the Gruesome 1868 Outrage and Murder in Scotland News of the Times Episode 444 | 1869 In today’s episode, we journey back to Scotland to the year 1868 — a time of change. And at the heart of it, a crime so chilling in its day, it would capture international attention. Robert Smith, a young drifter, and man of occasional employment one fateful day,  visits a house with a lone middle aged...

A Shocking 1824 Irish Exorcism Gone Wrong News of the Times Episode 443 | 1824 In today’s episode, we travel back to 1824, Ballymore, Ireland, where one extraordinary case shakes the community to its core, revealing the deep divides within the country. The Rev. Mr. John Carroll is on a self-proclaimed mission to cast out devils from the poor and afflicted of the area. Some argue that he is more in...

News of the Times Episode 442 | 1883 - 1927 In today’s episode, we dive into the twisted case of James Kelly, whose story begins in 1883 with the tragic murder of his new wife. Initially found guilty, Kelly’s sentence is commuted after being declared insane, leading to his confinement at Broadmoor. But in 1888, Kelly escapes—around the same time the Ripper murders begin—and suspicion grows that he...

The Murderess Timney - The Last Public Female Execution in Scotland News of the Times Episode 440 | 1862 In today’s episode it is 1862 Carsphairn Ireland, a small village some 14 miles from New Galloway. 27 year old Mary Timney, with four children, sees her neighbour, Ann Hannah, a 40 year old spinster who live in and cares for the house of her brothers.  The Hannah family are more affluent.  Ann...

Whitechapel's Shocking History Revealed 1863 to 1892 News of the Times Episode 439 | 1863 &1892 Whitechapel – an area that historically seems to attract evil. In today’s episode we start with the shocking surprise of an initial discovery of discarded bodies – many of them children – within the roof of White Chapel church.  The horrific discovery is made when some workmen are called in to...

Case of The Dykebar Murder Affair News of the Times Episode 439 | 1821 1926 Scotland.  Dykebar Mental Hospital staff are going on a picnic, as they have done before, in the nearby beauty spot.  Euphemia has recently broken off more personal relations with a fellow male nurse but remains on friendly terms with him. The male nurse in question is known as a quiet young man, a but odd, but nothing unt...

The Case of Edinburgh's Last Public Execution News of the Times Episode 437 | 1864 In today’s episode we are in Ratho, some 14 miles outside of Edinburgh in 1864. Young Isabelle brown, working as a cook at the manse has been dating local chap, George Bryce. Bryce, who works as a carter, is known in the village as being a bit slow. He also likes to drink – a habit that Isabell does not approve...

The Infamous Murderous Lomas Morrey Love Triangle of 1812 News of the Times Episode 436 | 1812 In today’s episode it is 1812.  King George III in on the throne.  Edith and George Morrey enjoy a comfortable living together with their 5 children in Chester. George Morrey is known as a congenial husband and master.  A new young servant is brought in, John Lomas, and Edith, it would seem, quickly sets...

Case of the 1888 Marylebone Murder Mystery News of the Times Episode 435 | 1888 In today’s episode it is January 1888 Marylebone, in an upper middle class neighbourhood that although less than 5 miles away from Whitechapel could very well be a hundred miles in way n terms of the differences with Whitechapel financially and socially. Miss Lucy Clarke, a very successful dress maker with prestigious...

The Fiskerton Tragedy of 1864 News of the Times Episode 433 | 1864 In today’s episode, it is 1864 Fiskerton - some 14 miles from Nottingham. The community is rocked with the news that Thomas Parker has attempted to murder his aged parents. Parker has long garnered a reputation in the community of being an indulged spoiled man-child. Although the village is shocked, it is not necessarily completely...

The Case of the 1836 Cross Murder - the last female execution before Victoria News of the Times Episode 433 | 1836 Sophia Edney, 23, who married to her husband at the age of 16 – a husband who is some 30 years older than her - seems to have had enough. After being served some fried potatoes, her husband, John Edney, begins to suffer extreme pain and a burning sensation within his body. A doctor is...

The Killing of Constable Grantham - First Constable Killed News of the Times Episode 432 | 1830 In today’s episode we start in 1822. England has been suffering from an increasingly terrible crime wave.  The police, such as it is, consists of hired watchmen who are often n the pay of the very gangs they are supposed to be protecting. Robert Peel is brought in as home secretary.  Peel has a vision o...

A True Case of Murder: Scotland Yard Casebook News of the Times Episode 431 | 1922 1922 and a small story in the papers recounts the discovery of a beaten high end call girl found by her maid in the victim’s bathroom.  Police state the scene looks like a slaughterhouse. The lead suspect is quickly traced but what then unfolds is a very strange, very bizarre tale of the killer.  Is he insane?  Was...

The Disturbing Case of Sarah Stone News of the Times Episode 430 | 1811 - 1814 1811 and a young wife of a gunner in his Majesty’s Service is trying to please her husband who is desperate for them to have a child – especially a son. She is not pregnant but wishes to please him, so she lies. Overjoyed, he arrives back on shore leave anxious to see his new son!  She states she has sent him away becau...

The Huddersfield Murder Case of 1888 News of the Times Episode 429 | 1888 Today’s story begins with an execution on New Years Day, 1888 at the hands of Billington.  How did he get here? A relationship, that by all accounts was never good, has completely soured.  As the tension rises so do the threats of violence and abusive behaviour. But Elizabeth, the wife, is no shrinking violet.  She reports t...

A Spitalfields Boxing Day Tragedy - The Ellen Collins Mystery News of the Times Episode 427 | 1896 In today’s episode it is December 26, Boxing Day, 1896. We are in Spitalfields – just around the corner from Whitechapel.  A policeman, on his regular beat, fends a woman crumpled in an alley, smelling of alcohol.  She would not be the first reveller to have imbibed too much over Christmas.  With hel...

The Christmas Holyhead Murder 1909 News of the Times Episode 426 | 1909 In today’s episode we are in Wales in 1909.  Gwen Ellen jones is found murdered and dumped in a ditch.  Surprisingly, her ex boyfriend who has spent times attempting to find her proudly announces the killing of his ex girlfriend and mother of his child. The case rocked the area not only for the sensational aspect of the crime...

Cases of Parricide for Love & the Naked Body on Christmas Day News of the Times Episode 425 | 1844 & 1919 In today’s episode we look at two  Christmas cases from Liverpool. Our first case from 1855 involves Mary who lives with her father.  Mary is in love with a young man from Liverpool.  Alas, Mary’s father does not approve.  The argument goes on for some time.  Mary is then invited to vi...

The Case of the Body in the Wall Murder News of the Times Episode 424 | 1930 1930 Birmingham and Edwin Claude Thick, bricklayer, has written to his parents informing them that his wife, Ivy, has left him and their one year old child and absconded off with a Frenchman with whom, he states, she had been having a regular affair for over a year.  He is heartbroken but determined to look for Ivy and br...

The Curious Case of The Liverpool Sack Murder News of the Times Episode 423 | 1913 In today’s episode it is December 1913 in Liverpool, and a passing fisherman upon the canal spots a sack floating in the water. Curious, he fishes the sack out of the canal only to find the horrifying remains of a woman, doubled over, with an additional sack placed on her head.  Two iron weights had been placed in t...

The Sandhills Christmas Tragedy - The Killing of Kathleen News of the Times Episode 422 | 1919 In today’s episode it is Christmas time, 1919, in the resort area of Blackpool. Kathleen, known as “Kitty”, has finally completed the urgently requested request by her handsome boyfriend of a life insurance policy and has also, with her sister as witness, signed over her property, and the proceeds of her...

The Case of the Mansfield Tragedy Serial Killing News of the Times Episode 421 | 1895 In today’s episode it is 1895 Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Mary, a respectable 48 year old widow with children and left in comfortable circumstances lets out rooms to bring in some additional money.  Her lodger is a local man named Nenty who has a contentious relationship with his own family.  He has been lodging...

The Aylesbury Murders &  The Abergavenny Castle Massacre News of the Times Episode 420 | 1822 & 1175 In today’s episode, we are in Aylesbury in 1822.  Elderly couple, Mr and Mrs Needle are well known, living at the toll house where they take the tolls for those who wish to pass into town. With no response at their door, a way is forced in where people are greeted with a horrific sight.  El...

The Case of the Shocking Murder of Mary Ann Snow News of the Times Episode 419 | 1867 Today’s case from 1867 takes place in London. In the early morning house, Mrs Caroline Snow is awakened by the presence of her niece, Mary Ann Snow standing in her bedroom doorway.  She is clutching her throat with both hands as blood streams down. Placing Mary Ann on to her bed, a doctor and policeman are called...